Unless indicated below, this is a transcript of the original Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities/Town of Brookhaven survey form. Since most of the surveys were conducted in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s, much of the information reflects that time period.
Corrections to obvious typographical and spelling errors have been made. Corrections to factual errors in the original surveys, and updates or comments on the information are either enclosed in [square brackets], or are clearly indicated as updated material from the context of the comments.
Sites which have a suffix of “S” are supplemental sites not included in the original surveys.
Building-Structure Inventory Form
Robert Carman house
If checked, this is a Supplemental Form, not in the original surveys.
SH08
07-15-1982
01-01-1970
Click for
Photo
People
Other Links
Printer Friendly
Submitter
Submitter Name:
Town of Brookhaven/SPLIA
Submitter Address:
Town Hall 205 S. Ocean Ave. Patchogue, NY 11772 631-634-7806
Brookhaven Community Development Agency
Identification
Robert Carman house
Suffolk
Brookhaven
Hamlet of Southaven
If checked, this site is within the Fire Place (Brookhaven Hamlet) Historic District
Ownership
4a-Public Site
4b-Private Site
Frank Petrignani
2847 Montauk Highway, north side at corner Old S. Country Rd.
This structure is located in Southaven, which was first settled in the eighteenth century.
Other Notable Features of Building and Site
This house belonged to R. Carman in 1873.
[It is likely that this is the residence leased by Mabel Hotchkin to the Town of Brookhaven in 1916 as an isolation hospital for the treatment and care of children suffering from infantile paralysis. See Sources.]
[In the early 20th century the site was owned by "Hotchkins." In newspaper accounts it is referred to as "the old Hotchkins estate." See Sources.]
[From about 1927 through the 1930's, it was rented by Gardner Murdock from the Hotchkins estate as a boarding house and inn, known as the Hunters Inn. It was here that the bear mauling incident took place which lead to the death of the eleven year old boy, Grant Taylor.]
Significance
Between 1858 and 1873
Historic and Architectural Importance
2 1/2 story, 2 bay, low-angle gable roof house with 1 1/2 story wing on east. 6/6 windows. Both wing and main house have extremely wide roof overhang with main house eaves supported by giant-size narrow scrolled brackets. These giant brackets are unique. Nothing like them has ever been seen elsewhere on Long Island. The house very much resembles a railroad station of the period, with its board and batten siding and bracketed cornice.
Sources
Atlas of Long Island, N.Y., by F.W. Beers, New York: Beers, Comstock & Cline, 1873. Property is identified as R. Carman, that is Robert A. Carman, a son of Samuel Carman, Jr.
1902 Map of Brookhaven and South Haven, uncertain source. Property is identified as R. Carman.
1915 Belcher Hyde Map, Brookhaven Town. Property is identified as W. B. Hotchkin, likely "Walter B. Hotchkin," a New York stockbroker.
From the Suffolk County News (Sayville, NY), 18 Aug 1916, p.4: "Brookhaven Has Paralysis Hospital: An Isolation hospital for the treatment and care of children suffering from infantile paralysis has been secured for Brookhaven Town. It is the Robert Carman homestead located near the village of Brookhaven, a mile west of Carman's River. A lease for six months with the privilege of renewal for a similar period has been signed by Mrs. Mabel Hodgkins and the Town Board of Health."
From the Patchogue Advance, 24 May 1927, p. 9 The old Hotchkins estate on Montauk Highway is being cleared and the house is undergoing a thorough cleaning. The place has been rented by Gardner Murdock of Bellport who will open a summer hostelery there. He will serve duck and chicken dinner and several boarders can be accommodated as the place is roomy.
From the Patchogue Advance, 27 May 1927, p. 9. Gardner Murdock, who has leased the old Hotchkins place, is having a broad piazza built on the east side for dancing.
From the Patchogue Advance, 8 July 1927, p. 11. The correspondent was misinformed in stating in Tuesday's issue that William Heisler and family have moved to Bellport. They have gone to Sayville instead. Mr. Heisler was caretaker of the hunting dogs while here, but Gardner Murdock has all the beautiful hounds housed at Hunters Inn, Southaven now. This inn was the old Hotchkins place, which Mr. Murdock has remodeled and a large, screened dancing veranda added.
4b-Private Site